montauk

SPRING AWAKENINGS!

Spring has sprung in the Hamptons! After a long and brutal winter, the sun is finally shining, the birds are singing, and the businesses are starting to reopen. From delicious prepared and baked foods to fresh lobster salads and amazing sunsets, there is something for everyone in the Hamptons this season.

Instagram @roundswampfarm

First up, Round Swamp Farm in East Hampton opened its doors on Wednesday. If you’ve never been to Round Swamp Farm, you are in for a treat! This family-owned farm offers a wide variety of insanely good prepared and baked foods, from Lisa’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and RS Ttriple Berry Pie to Mexican layer dip and killer gazpacho (but not Almodovar kind of way ). And don’t forget to try their famous crab cakes, which are to die for!

Next up, Duryea’s Montauk will be opening next week for the season, and lobster salad will be available starting May 11th. This seafood hotspot is a must-visit if you’re in the area. Their lobster salad is the stuff of legend, and the views of the water from their outdoor deck are simply breathtaking.

If you’re in the mood for a lobster roll, head over to Lunch in Amagansett. They started serving up their delicious lobster rolls last week, and they are definitely worth the trip. Made with fresh, local ingredients, these rolls are the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring.

For amazing sunsets and great food, make sure to check out Beacon Sag Harbor, starting May 17th. This waterfront restaurant is one of the best places to catch a sunset in the Hamptons, and their menu is full of delicious, locally-sourced dishes.

Opening tonight, the team behind Sí Sí in East Hampton, Enchanté channels the charm of a Parisian brasseries with a relaxed atmosphere. Located at the former location of Red Bar in Southampton, the renovated restaurant has been given a total overhaul with a rich european flair. For menus and reservasations you can click here.

And finally, for another amazing sunset hot spot in East Hampton, head over to Bostwicks on the Harbor, which opened its doors tonight at 5:30 pm. This seafood shack is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day, with stunning views of the harbor and some of the freshest seafood around.

Instagram @curatedfinemeats

Finally, get ready to meat your new butcher! Justin Aronoff, founder of Center Cuts, is opening a high-end gourmet food store in Wainscott called “Curated Fine Meats”. This jewel box of a store which looks more like Tiffany than a butcher shop features refrigerated cases built into the walls and a “jewel” case showcasing the finest Wagyu and dry-aged beef. All of their hand-selected, curated meats will come vacuum-sealed and ready to go. And it’s not just meat they’re offering – Curated Fine Meats will also carry a full array of quality sauces and marinades from local and regional culinary businesses. Don’t miss their grand opening on May 13th – it’s sure to be a rare and well-done event!

So there you have it, folks! Spring has arrived in the Hamptons, and the businesses are starting to reopen. Whether you’re in the mood for Wagyu , fresh seafood, decadent baked goods, or simply an amazing sunset, there is something for everyone on the East End.

FROM MICHELOB TO MICHELIN… PLUS JACK’S BACK AND MAVERICKS MONTAUK.

The former home of Dockside

Well, looks like Sag Harbor doesn’t have Il Mulino to look forward to – but they’re still going more for the high brow with a Michelin-starred chef. According to the NY Post and Page Six, award-winning chef Melissa O’Donnell and Kittch are bringing their sea-to-table pop-up experience to the space that was formerly Dockside in the American Legion building. While it may not be the low-key casual restaurant we were all hoping for, at least the space won’t remain empty. Let’s just hope this doesn’t end up being a case of “close, but no cigar.” After 2 other attempts to find a tenant, it seems that the third time MAY FINALLY be the charm. Sag Harbor Kitchen is coming soon.

Meanwhile, in Sag Harbor it could be a bit of a brouhaha brewing. Jack’s Coffee which actually owns 117 Main St. where Love Shack Fancy was once housed has decided to take up residence and give the village an extra jolt of caffeine. In case you’re not aware, that’s right next door to Goldberg’s Bagels which sells coffee and Sylvester and Company which sells my fave Dreamy Coffee. So look for a lot of jittery pedestrians this summer in Sag Harbor.

The New Mavericks in Montauk. www.mavericksmontauk.com

Exciting news for Montauk foodies! Mavericks, a new restaurant, is set to open its doors today, featuring local chef Jeremy Blustein at the helm. Located at the site of the former “East by Northeast” the team has spared no expense in renovating the space (it took almost 2 years), promising a top-notch dining experience. With Bluestein’s impressive background as executive resort chef at Gurney’s, it’s no wonder early reviews are calling it “phenomenal.” This is definitely a spot to check out for those looking for a taste of Montauk’s culinary scene. For those interested in learning more about Mavericks and its menu offerings, be sure to check out their website at www.mavericksmontauk.com. With the buzz surrounding the restaurant’s opening, it’s sure to be a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

CHATTING ABOUT CHEWING!

Summer is almost here and for many of us on the east end that means more people, more traffic and more stores and restaurants will actually be open. It’s like the first blooming onion , I mean Crocus of spring! A welcome sign to anyone who has experienced the anguish of trying to go out for dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night.

First it’s not a restaurant but Round Swamp Farm is back in action. The East Hampton, Montauk and Bridgehampton outlets all opened this past weekend. It wasn’t a moment too soon. My winter stock of frozen Chicken Pot Pies, Lisa’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and Mexican Layer Dip is completely depleted. BTW, last year I discovered their tortilla chips, and they are the best I’ve ever had anywhere! Seriously.

The view from Beacon in Sag Harbor.

Speaking of excellent tortilla chips, Rita Cantina which was a breakout hit last summer will once again be serving their tortillas, margaritas and quesadillas beginning next Wednesday the 11th. According to their RESY schedule they’ll be open Wed – Sunday’s starting at 4pm.

One of the best things about the east end is being on the water. Luckily, we have some seriously awesome joints where you can dine while enjoying the bucolic waters of the Hamptons. In East Hampton there is only one restaurant that has killer sunset views along with killer food: Bostwicks on the Harbor – opening Thursday May 5th (Thursday – Sunday 5pm). I don’t think I ever had a bad meal there but the wait (no reservations) is sometimes a bit of a hassle. But when you see the sunset and tear into that tuna tartare, you’ll be in dining nirvana.

Another killer sunset view restaurant is Beacon in Sag Harbor. The same folks who keep you fed all winter long at Fresno in EH and Bell and Anchor in Sag Harbor will be opening their warm weather venue Wednesday May 11th. The home of my favorite Tuna Tostada and Lobster Rigatoni sits overlooking Sag Harbor Cove and has some spectacular sunsets. This place is a must for anyone who enjoys a casually chic dining experience with million-dollar views.

Finally, Duryea’s Beach Club in Orient Point and The Lobster Deck in Montauk will both be back in action in a few days. The Lobster Deck is opening on Thursday May 12th and Beach club in Orient on the 18th. Featuring favorites like the colossal Duryea’s Cobb Salad, extensive raw bar and Duryea’s Lobster Roll it’s no wonder this is one of the hottest spots for celebs (Think Jay-Z & Bey) and regulars (me) in the Hamptons.

So here’s to summer and hopefully I’ll see you all soon al fresco!

THE BEST HAMPTONS PROFRESHIONALS!

Hamptons Farmers Markets Are Back!

Back in the day I would get excited about going to clubs and hearing the latest music but not anymore. Instead of getting psyched for fresh beats I now get excited by fresh BEETS! Ha. Sorry. Hamptons foodies rejoice! Farmers markets are back, or coming back, this summer. With markets up and down the South Fork, we’ll have no shortage of fresh produce and locally sourced goodies until the leaves change. I, for one, cannot wait to dig into the many organic and artisanal delights, like local honey, gourmet mushrooms, fresh pies and heaps of fruits and veggies.

SEE THE SITES AND HOUNDS OF EAST HAMPTON FARMER’S MARKET ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!

Navigating all that’s out there can be challenging, so I’ve put together this handy list of markets along the South Fork, from Montauk to Westhampton Beach.

Montauk Farmers Market
New vendors and returning favorites will convene on Village Green (743 Montauk Highway) every Thursday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. starting June 3. The day switches to Fridays on September 17 and will continue with the same hours every Friday through November 19. Covid rules remain in effect, including masks, social distancing and one-way aisles.

East Hampton Farmers Market
This local favorite returns on Fridays at its new Herrick Park location starting May 28 and will continue every Friday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., rain or shine, through December 12. The Sunday market is already underway at Herrick Park, but the final day is slated for May 30, following the return of Fridays. You’ll find something for every taste, including your dogs.

Look for: Arlotta Foods, Artisan Knives by Gary Parker, Balsam Farms, Blue Duck Bakery, The Complete Burger, The Cookery: Cyn & Trudy, East End Apiaries, Eli’s Bread, Finn’s Smoked Fish Dip, Hamptons Barkery, Hamptons Sourdough, The Hampton Grocer, The Heavenly Hive, Island End Farms, Knot of This World Pretzels, L’Acquolina Pasta, Manna Sauces, Mecox Bay Dairy, Montauk Scallop Co., Open Minded Organics, Papa Pasquale Italian Specialties, Peck’s of Maine, The Perfect Pickle, Regina’s Farmstand, Rena’s Dream Patties, Sand & Soil Farm, Sang Lee Organic Farm, Sharp Cat Knife Sharpening, Solemate Cakes, South Fork Bakery, Terra Nut, The Ferm, The Tumeric Store, Tulo’s Milk, Wickham’s Fruit Farm and Wolffer Estate Vineyards. Personal fave…. The Cookery with Cyn and Trudy! They have amazing fruit tarts, breads and pies!

Fruit Tart from THE COOKERY WITH CYN AND TRUDY!

Sag Harbor Farmers Market

Kicking off next Saturday, May 22 and continuing every Saturday on the corner of Bay and Burke streets from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. through Halloween, the Sag Harbor Farmers Market has all the requisite fresh foods, produce and local products from a long list of vendors. You might even spot a celebrity or two.

Amagansett Farmers Market / Amber Waves Farm and CSA
Operating on land conserved by the Peconic Land Trust in 2008, Amber Waves Farm focuses on their effort to unite food and community “with the mission to provide rich educational opportunities in agriculture for aspiring growers, thoughtful cooks and eaters of all ages.” Visit seven days per week to find fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits and herbs, among other goodies, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at 367 Main Street. And ask about their CSA program if you want to go full-on crunchy granola.

Westhampton Beach Farmers Market
Open Saturdays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Village Green (Main Street and Beach Lane), the Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s market hosts over 60 vendors, growers and producers offering locally grown, caught made items such as breads, fruits and vegetables, herbs, honey, local wine, pickles, mushrooms, Greek yogurt, shellfish, ravioli, fudge, cheese, cakes and pies, eggs, fish, flowers, sauces, spice rubs, chicken, gourmet items and much more.

Go to one or go to them all! This is Hamptons living done right.